Except where indicated otherwise, the photos on this page have been loaned by RBH for for scanning. The information presented here has also been supplied by RBH in interviews and phone conversations. He has also assisted with general info about RAAF training and life during WW2. His personal WW2 Diary has been amazing with it's detail.

Bob also supplied personal mementos received from MJH after the War, and safely stored for the last 65 years.

In front of the bar, left – Sgt. M.J.Hibberd; right – Sgt.Flip/Phlip Harris.

No. 2 Embarkation Depot, Bradfield Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, February 1944. This was the final Australian posting after receiving Air Gunnery badge and promotion to Sergeant while at No.1 Air Gunnery School at West Sale, Victoria.

Photo taken at Luna Park, Sydney, Australia prior to embarkation by ship to the UK. This was a staged photo at the fun-park, in a fake bar with empty bottles.

They arrived by troop train at 0700 Easter Saturday 8 April 1944, and were billeted on the 7th floor of the Grand Hotel.

This photo was taken sometime between 8 and 26 April. On the 26th April, they departed on disembarkation leave, traveling by train via London to Carlisle in the Lakes District.

The photo was taken at the end of an alley between the Grand Hotel and the building beside it. The wind from the sea coming across the Esplanade was so strong that they were almost blown off their feet when attempting to cross the alley. They had to hold on to the side of one building, walk down the alley to the end, cross over near the back wall, then come back up the other side holding onto that building. (There may be some Aussie exaggeration here!)

(Photo from the R.B.Hetherington Collection)

From left: Warrant Officer M.J.Hibberd, Colin Hetherington (ex Aust Army having served in New Guinea), and Warrant Officer R.B.Hetherington (brothers).

This photo was taken at the beach at Hervey Bay near Maryborough, Queensland after both Bob and Max had been demobbed on the same day, 18th February 1946. After demob, they both stayed for a few days at the Hibberd Family farm at Brookfield, near Brisbane. They then traveled to Maryborough to visit the Hetherington Family for a few days.

Max Hibberd had been hospitalised, then convalescing, then an outpatient due to his war injuries, hence his rather scrawny appearance.

Shortly after this holiday, M.J.Hibberd re-commenced studies at Queensland Agricultural High School & College at Gatton, Queensland, as a War Rehabilitation Student.

(Photo from the R.B.Hetherington Collection)

Robert Barry Hetherington – Service HistoryThis information has been obtained from the web site of the Australian Nominal Roll, & confirmed by RBH.
Service – RAAF
Service Number – 435570
Date of Birth – 20 March 1925
Place of Birth – Maryborough, Queensland
Date of Enlistment – 18 June 1943
Place of Enlistment – Brisbane, Queensland
Next of Kin – Ernest Hetherington (father?)
Date of Discharge – 23 January 1946
Rank at Discharge – Warrant Officer
Posting at Discharge – RAF Beccles, Norfolk, UK

Bob was posted to 461 Squadron, Coastal Command, flying in Sunderlands.
Further information will be added in the future.Back to top of page

Links with M.J.Hibberd during WW2

(Birth date of 20 March 1945 making him 14 days younger than F/Sgt J.M.Tait and F/Sgt M.J.Hibberd in Ball's crew, who both had birth date of 6 March 1925).